Ruth Katz 00:00
Good morning, everybody. Can I ask you to take your seats and I'm also going to say good morning once again, you can't be tired yet. Good morning. For those I have not yet met. I am Ruth Katz, Director of Aspen Ideas health and executive director of the Aspen Institute's Health Medicine and Society Program. It's really great to see all of you here this morning, including those of us, those of you who are just joining us for fest, one, which begins later this afternoon.
For those of you who have been with us for Aspen Ideas, health, I hope you would agree what an incredible time we've had together over these past few days. Early morning walks and evening conversations about the healing properties of art and the therapeutic potential of psychedelics. relevation is about the digital future and a look at astonishing medical breakthroughs, a deeper understanding of the importance of animals in our lives, and perhaps why we may need robots to and of course, the incredibly, very special session on the implications of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe versus Wade, keeping Aspen Ideas health. Absolutely. up to the minute on breaking news and issues. Our team did an incredible job of putting that together. We also heard some extraordinary stories about a grocery store that doubles as the community sanctuary, the intuition of a mother, teens who are literally changing the world and barbers talking to their clients about colon cancer
screening. And the personal remembrance is from those who knew Global Health Champion,Paul Farmer touched us deeply. I am sure that all of us have our favorite session, the one that sparked that aha moment, or tapped into the deepest emotions of empathy and hope. I know a lot of lessons have been learned. And I noticed and it's absolutely true. There were tears that were shed. But as this event draws nearer to what's close, I think what has really stood out is the sense of community that Aspen health ideas engenders whatever health related role you play as a consumer, as an advocate, provider, entrepreneur, researcher or public official, you are part of the ecosystem that offers an opportunity to drive better health for all this year, perhaps more than ever, that sense of connection was palpable. We felt it in the many questions asked of our speakers, the engaging conversations that followed every single session, the enthusiasm of our fellows and of course, in the many ideas big and small, that kept emerging, we were continually reminded that together, we can accomplish so much more than any one of us can accomplish alone. We truly are a community. I know you will be returning home with a rekindled sense of possibility. And I urge you to turn some of the compelling insights you have gained here into action that drives change. That is part of what Aspen Ideas health is all about. Now, of course it takes an enormous amount of energy and dedication to pull off an event like this one which takes almost one year to develop especially in the midst of a pandemic. And many thanks for do and please bear with me. There are many first who are small but mighty Aspen Ideas health team Natalie Johnson, whom you've met before, Katie Taylor, Deb Cunningham, Jamie Davidow, Kathleen Shea and Karen Pheidon. You guys are simply the best and it's the only group I'm going to have to stand by. A special sound shout out as well to the Health Medicine Society staff, Katya Juan's er and Raven talker. Dan Porterfield, our president and CEO has been immensely supportive of Aspen Ideas health, and Elliot Gerson, Executive Vice President for policy and public programs and international partners, has championed our work from day one, which is now nine years ago. Thanks to to the institute's communications team, particularly John proviz. And Ben Berliner. It is always a great privilege to open the 10 day Aspen Ideas Festival and we are grateful for the help of those who make the festival possible. Especially kitty Boone, Killeen Breadman, Deborah Murphy and Deborah's
incomparable conference services team. Thank you also to the leaders of Several sister programs within the Aspen Institute special recognition to Lola otter dokkan. Now, at a token, Executive Director of the Aspen Global Innovators group and Jonathan Price, who directs our international partners program, which includes Aspen Institute Ukraine. That the program went smoothly is in good measure to Richard stettner and the Aspen Meadows team most especially the remarkable the truly remarkable Rachel Butler. NBC Universal proved to be a terrific media partner, and we look forward to continuing collaboration with them. We are very appreciative of the video and audio expertise provided by six productions of liberty Franklin's editorial
assistants, and Erika van bucktails, tremendous communications related support. And of course, of course, the generosity of our underwriters makes all the difference. I think they really get the value of Aspen Ideas, health, and their contributions in so many ways are just essential. A special thank you to each and every one of them. Huge gratitude is also due to our terrific speakers and moderators. Many of them travelled long distances to be with us. And all of them sparkled sparked scintillating exchanges. My only regret and this is my regret every single year that each session couldn't have lasted longer. Thanks as well to our dozens and dozens of volunteers who are always on hand to greet us warmly answer questions and lend a helping hand wherever it was needed. I told you it was a long list. But finally, and most importantly, a salute to all of you for your intention and enthusiasm. You are the reason we work so very hard all year long to put this program together. We wouldn't be here if you didn't remind us how meaningful Aspen Ideas health is to you. And again, thank you so much for being here. And now, to close out Aspen Ideas health 2020 to three terrific conversations. First, US Health and Human Services secretaries Aviar Barcella farts. It's been a long three days, guys. My apologies, Mr. Secretary. He will be interviewed by Kate's Now Kate is the anchor of NBC Nightly News Sunday, a senior national correspondent for NBC News and recipient of multiple Emmy Awards. Pablo cough talking new I've been practicing my Ukrainian former Ukrainian deputy health minister and co founder of the Ukrainian Health Care Center will be interviewed by Elizabeth Cohen. Elizabeth is the award winning SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT at CNN and author of the popular cnn.com column the Empowered patient.
Finally, Deepika Chopra, widely known as the optimism doctor will be interviewed by Nick same floor Nick is a general assignment reporter at stat and a former Nightline was reporting fellow who covers the intersection of race medicine and the life sciences. They will be coming up one right after another there won't be an interruption between among them. Before I turn the Aspen stage over to Kate, let me just take a moment to thank you all. Once again, you have a lot of choices of where you can spend your June you have chosen to spend part of it with us. We are deeply grateful. Please travel home so safely be well. And I promise you it will see you all back here for Aspen Ideas health 2023, Kate.
Good morning, everybody. Can I ask you to take your seats and I'm also going to say good morning once again, you can't be tired yet. Good morning. For those I have not yet met. I am Ruth Katz, Director of Aspen Ideas health and executive director of the Aspen Institute's Health Medicine and Society Program. It's really great to see all of you here this morning, including those of us, those of you who are just joining us for fest, one, which begins later this afternoon.
For those of you who have been with us for Aspen Ideas, health, I hope you would agree what an incredible time we've had together over these past few days. Early morning walks and evening conversations about the healing properties of art and the therapeutic potential of psychedelics. relevation is about the digital future and a look at astonishing medical breakthroughs, a deeper understanding of the importance of animals in our lives, and perhaps why we may need robots to and of course, the incredibly, very special session on the implications of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe versus Wade, keeping Aspen Ideas health. Absolutely. up to the minute on breaking news and issues. Our team did an incredible job of putting that together. We also heard some extraordinary stories about a grocery store that doubles as the community sanctuary, the intuition of a mother, teens who are literally changing the world and barbers talking to their clients about colon cancer
screening. And the personal remembrance is from those who knew Global Health Champion,Paul Farmer touched us deeply. I am sure that all of us have our favorite session, the one that sparked that aha moment, or tapped into the deepest emotions of empathy and hope. I know a lot of lessons have been learned. And I noticed and it's absolutely true. There were tears that were shed. But as this event draws nearer to what's close, I think what has really stood out is the sense of community that Aspen health ideas engenders whatever health related role you play as a consumer, as an advocate, provider, entrepreneur, researcher or public official, you are part of the ecosystem that offers an opportunity to drive better health for all this year, perhaps more than ever, that sense of connection was palpable. We felt it in the many questions asked of our speakers, the engaging conversations that followed every single session, the enthusiasm of our fellows and of course, in the many ideas big and small, that kept emerging, we were continually reminded that together, we can accomplish so much more than any one of us can accomplish alone. We truly are a community. I know you will be returning home with a rekindled sense of possibility. And I urge you to turn some of the compelling insights you have gained here into action that drives change. That is part of what Aspen Ideas health is all about. Now, of course it takes an enormous amount of energy and dedication to pull off an event like this one which takes almost one year to develop especially in the midst of a pandemic. And many thanks for do and please bear with me. There are many first who are small but mighty Aspen Ideas health team Natalie Johnson, whom you've met before, Katie Taylor, Deb Cunningham, Jamie Davidow, Kathleen Shea and Karen Pheidon. You guys are simply the best and it's the only group I'm going to have to stand by. A special sound shout out as well to the Health Medicine Society staff, Katya Juan's er and Raven talker. Dan Porterfield, our president and CEO has been immensely supportive of Aspen Ideas health, and Elliot Gerson, Executive Vice President for policy and public programs and international partners, has championed our work from day one, which is now nine years ago. Thanks to to the institute's communications team, particularly John proviz. And Ben Berliner. It is always a great privilege to open the 10 day Aspen Ideas Festival and we are grateful for the help of those who make the festival possible. Especially kitty Boone, Killeen Breadman, Deborah Murphy and Deborah's
incomparable conference services team. Thank you also to the leaders of Several sister programs within the Aspen Institute special recognition to Lola otter dokkan. Now, at a token, Executive Director of the Aspen Global Innovators group and Jonathan Price, who directs our international partners program, which includes Aspen Institute Ukraine. That the program went smoothly is in good measure to Richard stettner and the Aspen Meadows team most especially the remarkable the truly remarkable Rachel Butler. NBC Universal proved to be a terrific media partner, and we look forward to continuing collaboration with them. We are very appreciative of the video and audio expertise provided by six productions of liberty Franklin's editorial
assistants, and Erika van bucktails, tremendous communications related support. And of course, of course, the generosity of our underwriters makes all the difference. I think they really get the value of Aspen Ideas, health, and their contributions in so many ways are just essential. A special thank you to each and every one of them. Huge gratitude is also due to our terrific speakers and moderators. Many of them travelled long distances to be with us. And all of them sparkled sparked scintillating exchanges. My only regret and this is my regret every single year that each session couldn't have lasted longer. Thanks as well to our dozens and dozens of volunteers who are always on hand to greet us warmly answer questions and lend a helping hand wherever it was needed. I told you it was a long list. But finally, and most importantly, a salute to all of you for your intention and enthusiasm. You are the reason we work so very hard all year long to put this program together. We wouldn't be here if you didn't remind us how meaningful Aspen Ideas health is to you. And again, thank you so much for being here. And now, to close out Aspen Ideas health 2020 to three terrific conversations. First, US Health and Human Services secretaries Aviar Barcella farts. It's been a long three days, guys. My apologies, Mr. Secretary. He will be interviewed by Kate's Now Kate is the anchor of NBC Nightly News Sunday, a senior national correspondent for NBC News and recipient of multiple Emmy Awards. Pablo cough talking new I've been practicing my Ukrainian former Ukrainian deputy health minister and co founder of the Ukrainian Health Care Center will be interviewed by Elizabeth Cohen. Elizabeth is the award winning SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT at CNN and author of the popular cnn.com column the Empowered patient.
Finally, Deepika Chopra, widely known as the optimism doctor will be interviewed by Nick same floor Nick is a general assignment reporter at stat and a former Nightline was reporting fellow who covers the intersection of race medicine and the life sciences. They will be coming up one right after another there won't be an interruption between among them. Before I turn the Aspen stage over to Kate, let me just take a moment to thank you all. Once again, you have a lot of choices of where you can spend your June you have chosen to spend part of it with us. We are deeply grateful. Please travel home so safely be well. And I promise you it will see you all back here for Aspen Ideas health 2023, Kate.